Computer-implemented method and gaming apparatus for allowing a player-banker to play against at least one virtual opponent

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method allows a player-banker to play a wagering game against at least one virtual opponent. The player-banker selects virtual opponents and accepts wagers from them. The gaming apparatus determines the winners and adjusts the credits according to the rules of the wagering game. In the method, a gaming apparatus includes a user input unit and a display unit, and the player selects virtual opponents via the user input unit. A computer program product for a gaming apparatus that includes a user input unit, a display unit and a processor unit is also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority of R.O.C. Patent Application No. 090132367, filed on Dec. 26, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to a gaming apparatus, more particularly to a computer-implemented method and gaming apparatus for allowing a player-banker to play against at least one virtual opponent.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] A conventional gaming apparatus allows players to playa one-to-one game with a computer acting as a virtual banker. It is desired by some players to be able to play a one-to-many game to increase their chances of winning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a computer-implemented method and gaming apparatus for allowing a player-banker (i.e., the human player playing the role of a virtual banker) to play against at least one virtual opponent.

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer-implemented method for playing a wagering game. The computer-implemented method comprises:

[0008] (a) providing a gaming apparatus that includes a user input unit and a display unit;

[0009] (b) allowing a player-banker to operate the user input unit for selecting at least one virtual opponent and for accepting a wager from each of said at least one virtual opponent; and

[0010] (c) allowing the player-banker to play the wagering game with each of said at least one virtual opponent, wherein the gaming apparatus shows progress of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent on the display unit, wherein the gaming apparatus determines the winner between the player-banker and each of said at least one virtual opponent according to a set of game rules associated with the wagering game, wherein the gaming apparatus shows result of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent on the display unit, and wherein the gaming apparatus adjusts credits for the player-banker and each of said at least one virtual opponent according to the result of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent and with reference to the wager placed by each of said at least one virtual opponent.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product for a gaming apparatus that includes a user input unit, a display unit and a processor unit coupled to the user input unit and the display unit. The computer program product adapts the gaming apparatus for playing a wagering game, and comprises:

[0012] a computer readable storage medium comprising:

[0013] a first code that directs the processor unit to allow a player-banker to operate the user input unit for selecting at least one virtual opponent and for accepting a wager from each of said at least one virtual opponent; and

[0014] a second code that directs the processor unit to allow the player-banker to play the wagering game with each of said at least one virtual opponent, including a code that directs the processor unit to show progress of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent on the display unit, a code that directs the processor unit to determine the winner between the player-banker and each of said at least one virtual opponent according to a set of game rules associated with the wagering game, a code that directs the processor unit to show result of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent on the display unit, and a code that directs the processor unit to adjust credits for the player-banker and each of said at least one virtual opponent according to the result of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent and with reference to the wager placed by each of said at least one virtual opponent.

[0015] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a gaming apparatus for playing a wagering game comprises:

[0016] a user input unit;

[0017] a display unit;

[0018] first means for allowing a player-banker to operate the user input unit so as to select at least one virtual opponent and so as to accept a wager from each of said at least one virtual opponent; and

[0019] second means for allowing the player-banker to play the wagering game with each of said at least one virtual opponent, wherein progress of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent is shown on the display unit, wherein the winner between the player-banker and each of said at least one virtual opponent is determined according to a set of game rules associated with the wagering game, wherein result of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent is shown on the display unit, and wherein credits for the player-banker and each of said at least one virtual opponent are adjusted according to the result of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent and with reference to the wager placed by each of said at least one virtual opponent.

[0020] According to a further aspect of the invention, a gaming apparatus comprises a user input unit, a display unit, a processor unit coupled to the user input unit and the display unit, and a computer program product for adapting the gaming apparatus for playing a wagering game. The computer program product comprises a computer readable storage medium that includes:

[0021] a first code that directs the processor unit to allow a player-banker to operate the user input unit for selecting at least one virtual opponent and for accepting a wager from each of said at least one virtual opponent; and

[0022] a second code that directs the processor unit to allow the player-banker to play the wagering game with each of said at least one virtual opponent, including a code that directs the processor unit to show progress of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent on the display unit, a code that directs the processor unit to determine the winner between the player-banker and each of said at least one virtual opponent according to a set of game rules associated with the wagering game, a code that directs the processor unit to show result of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent on the display unit, and a code that directs the processor unit to adjust credits for the player-banker and each of said at least one virtual opponent according to the result of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent and with reference to the wager placed by each of said at least one virtual opponent.

[0023] This invention provides a computer-implemented method and gaming apparatus that not only reverse the roles of the human player and the computer in the conventional gaming apparatus, but also allow the player to play a one-to-many game with virtual opponents for added excitement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0025]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a gaming apparatus according to the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit block diagram of the preferred embodiment; and

[0027]FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts to illustrate the preferred embodiment of a computer-implemented method for allowing a player-banker to play against at least one virtual opponent according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of a gaming apparatus 1 according to the present invention is adapted for allowing a player-banker to play a wagering game against at least one virtual opponent. Referring further to FIG. 2, the gaming apparatus 1 comprises a user input unit 11, a processor unit 12, a display unit 13, a sound generating unit 14, and a power supply unit 15 coupled to the user input unit 11, the processor unit 12, the display unit 13 and the sound generating unit 14. The user input unit 11 is operable so as to receive an input from the user. The display unit 13 is operable so as to show game images thereon. The sound generating unit 14 is operable so as to provide audible instructions and information to the user. The processor unit 12 is coupled to and controls the operations of the user input unit 11, the display unit 13 and the sound generating unit 14 in accordance with pre-programmed instructions. Preferably, the processor unit 12 is in the form of a circuit board that is mounted removably in the gaming apparatus 1 and that includes: a computer readable storage medium 121, such as a read-only memory device, recorded with program codes for performing the computer-implemented method of this invention; a central processing unit (CPU) 122 for executing the program codes; an image processor 123; and a random access memory (RAM) 124. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the processor unit 12 can also be implemented with a storage medium in the form of a floppy disk, a compact disk, a game cartridge, or any other readable storage medium.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the program codes in the storage medium 121 control game progress as follows:

[0030] Step (a): First, game-initiating processing is executed. When the gaming apparatus 1 is activated, the CPU 122 retrieves image data from the storage medium 121 and sends the same to the image processor 123 for processing. The output of the image processor 123 is sent to the display unit 13 to serve as a visual interface with the player. At the same time, audio data will be sent to the sound generating unit 14 for audio effects. As such, prior to starting a game, the display unit 13 is able to show a series of demonstration images until a player enters a game-playing command via the user input unit 11. The game-playing command can be input as a result of a coin-inserting action, and the flow proceeds to the next step (Step (b)) in response to the game-playing command.

[0031] Step (b): Upon receipt of the game-playing command, the processor unit 12 will be directed to control the display unit 13 to show a set of different wagering games thereon for selection by the player via the user input unit 11. The wagering games include card games, such as blackjack and five-hand poker, and dice games. The flow proceeds to the next step (Step (c)) after the desired wagering game has been selected.

[0032] Step (c): Since the player plays the role of a banker, the processor unit 12 first determines whether the credit of the player-banker is sufficient to match a preset maximum possible wager for one virtual opponent. Play is terminated when the player credit is insufficient (Step (d)). Otherwise, the flow proceeds to the next step (Step (e)).

[0033] Step (e): In this step, the processor unit 12 is directed to control the display unit 13 to show images of game-playing figures to represent a desired number of virtual opponents (up to a maximum of five virtual opponents in this embodiment) and to be selected by the player-banker via the user input unit 11. After selection, the player-banker will be shown in a predetermined position on the display unit 13, and his virtual opponents will be shown on the display unit 13 opposite to him. The flow then proceeds to the next step (Step (f)).

[0034] Step (f): In this step, the processor unit 12 is directed to allow the player-banker to input an acceptable wager from each virtual opponent via the user input unit 11. In this embodiment, the acceptable wager is a maximum wager limit for each virtual opponent. The actual wager placed by each virtual opponent is determined by the processor unit 12 such that the total amount of wagers placed by the virtual opponents do not exceed the player-banker's current credit. The flow then proceeds to the next step (Step (g)).

[0035] Step (g): Play of the selected wagering game starts in this step. Initially, cards are dealt or dice are thrown, and the result is shown on the display unit 13. In this example, the selected wagering game is a card game, and the player-banker is given an option of raising the wagers upon evaluating an initial dealt card hand (Step (h)). Step (i) is performed to allow the player-banker to raise the wagers via the user input unit 11. Otherwise, the flow proceeds directly to the next step (Step (j)).

[0036] Step (j): In this step, the processor unit 12 is directed to show progress of the wagering game on the display unit 13. The processor unit 12 then determines the winner between the player-banker and each virtual opponent according to a set of game rules associated with the selected wagering game. The flow then proceeds to the next step (Step (k)).

[0037] Step (k): In this step, the processor unit 12 is directed to show the result of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each virtual opponent on the display unit 13, and adjusts credits for the player-banker and each virtual opponent according to the result of the wagering game and with reference to the wager placed by each virtual opponent. The credits for the player-banker and each virtual opponent are stored in the RAM 124. The flow then proceeds to the next step (Step (l)).

[0038] Step (l): In the preferred embodiment, the processor unit 12 is directed in this step such that a winning virtual opponent may give a tip credit to the player-banker. The adjusted credits are shown on the display unit 13. The flow then proceeds to the next step (Step (m)).

[0039] Step (m): In this step, the processor unit 12 determines whether the player-banker is entitled to bonus credit. The player-banker is awarded with bonus credit when a predetermined condition is detected. The predetermined condition may be one in which the player-banker is dealt with a predetermined hand by the gaming apparatus 1 or one in which the player-banker won against each virtual opponent. The bonus credit is awarded in Step (n) when the predetermined condition is detected. Otherwise, the flow proceeds directly to the next step (Step (o)).

[0040] Step (o): In this step, the processor unit 12 is directed to prompt the player as to whether play is to be continued. If the player's answer is no, the flow can proceed back to Step (a). Otherwise, the flow proceeds back to either Step (b) to select a different wagering game or Step (c).

[0041] In an alternative embodiment, before playing a new game, the processor unit 12 is directed to reduce a current number of virtual opponents playing with the player-banker when the credit of the player-banker is insufficient to support the wagers to be made by the current number of virtual opponents.

[0042] It has thus been shown that the computer-implemented method and gaming apparatus of this invention enable players to play the role of a banker in different wagering games. They also enable players to play against more than one virtual opponent at the same time. The inclusion of bonus and tip credits enhances excitement and entertainment when playing with the gaming apparatus of this invention.

[0043] While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

I claim:
 1. A computer-implemented method for playing a wagering game, comprising: (a) providing a gaming apparatus that includes a user input unit and a display unit; (b) allowing a player-banker to operate the user input unit for selecting at least one virtual opponent and for accepting a wager from each of said at least one virtual opponent; and (c) allowing the player-banker to play the wagering game with each of said at least one virtual opponent, wherein the gaming apparatus shows progress of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent on the display unit, wherein the gaming apparatus determines the winner between the player-banker and each of said at least one virtual opponent according to a set of game rules associated with the wagering game, wherein the gaming apparatus shows result of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent on the display unit, and wherein the gaming apparatus adjusts credits for the player-banker and each of said at least one virtual opponent according to the result of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent and with reference to the wager placed by each of said at least one virtual opponent.
 2. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in step (b), the player-banker is further allowed to select the wagering game from a set of different games.
 3. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the set of different games includes card games and dice games.
 4. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in step (c), the gaming apparatus awards bonus credit to the player-banker when a predetermined condition is detected.
 5. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the predetermined condition is one in which the player-banker is dealt with a predetermined hand by the gaming apparatus.
 6. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the predetermined condition is one in which the player-banker won against each of said at least one virtual opponent.
 7. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in step (c), the gaming apparatus allows winning ones of said at least one virtual opponent to give a tip credit to the player-banker.
 8. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of: (d) allowing the player-banker to continue playing when the credit of the player-banker is sufficient to match a preset maximum possible wager for one virtual opponent, and to stop playing when otherwise.
 9. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 8, wherein step (d) includes the sub-step of reducing a current number of virtual opponents playing with the player-banker when the credit of the player-banker is insufficient to support the wagers to be made by the current number of virtual opponents.
 10. The computer-implemented method as claimed in claim 8, wherein step (d) includes the sub-step of allowing the player to quit playing the wagering game.
 11. A computer program product for a gaming apparatus that includes a user input unit, a display unit and a processor unit coupled to the user input unit and the display unit, said computer program product adapting the gaming apparatus for playing a wagering game, said computer program product comprising: a computer readable storage medium comprising: a first code that directs the processor unit to allow a player-banker to operate the user input unit for selecting at least one virtual opponent and for accepting a wager from each of said at least one virtual opponent; and a second code that directs the processor unit to allow the player-banker to play the wagering game with each of said at least one virtual opponent, including a code that directs the processor unit to show progress of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent on the display unit, a code that directs the processor unit to determine the winner between the player-banker and each of said at least one virtual opponent according to a set of game rules associated with the wagering game, a code that directs the processor unit to show result of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent on the display unit, and a code that directs the processor unit to adjust credits for the player-banker and each of said at least one virtual opponent according to the result of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent and with reference to the wager placed by each of said at least one virtual opponent.
 12. The computer program product as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first code further directs the processor unit to allow the player-banker to select the wagering game from a set of different games that includes card games and dice games.
 13. The computer program product as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second code further includes a code that directs the processor unit such that winning ones of said at least one virtual opponent give a tip credit to the player-banker.
 14. The computer program product as claimed in claim 11, wherein said computer readable storage medium further comprises: a third code that directs the processor unit to allow the player-banker to continue playing when the credit of the player-banker is sufficient to match a preset maximum possible wager for one virtual opponent, and to stop playing when otherwise.
 15. A gaming apparatus for playing a wagering game, comprising: a user input unit; a display unit; first means for allowing a player-banker to operate said user input unit so as to select at least one virtual opponent and so as to accept a wager from each of said at least one virtual opponent; and second means for allowing the player-banker to play the wagering game with each of said at least one virtual opponent, wherein progress of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent is shown on the display unit, wherein the winner between the player-banker and each of said at least one virtual opponent is determined according to a set of game rules associated with the wagering game, wherein result of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent is shown on the display unit, and wherein credits for the player-banker and each of said at least one virtual opponent are adjusted according to the result of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent and with reference to the wager placed by each of said at least one virtual opponent.
 16. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said first means further allows the player-banker to select the wagering game from a set of different games that includes card games and dice games.
 17. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said second means further allows winning ones of said at least one virtual opponent to give a tip credit to the player-banker.
 18. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 15, further comprising: third means for allowing the player-banker to continue playing when the credit of the player-banker is sufficient to match a preset maximum possible wager for one virtual opponent, and to stop playing when otherwise.
 19. A gaming apparatus comprising a user input unit, a display unit, a processor unit coupled to said user input unit and said display unit, and a computer program product for adapting said gaming apparatus for playing a wagering game, said computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium that includes: a first code that directs said processor unit to allow a player-banker to operate said user input unit for selecting at least one virtual opponent and for accepting a wager from each of said at least one virtual opponent; and a second code that directs said processor unit to allow the player-banker to play the wagering game with each of said at least one virtual opponent, including a code that directs said processor unit to show progress of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent on said display unit, a code that directs said processor unit to determine the winner between the player-banker and each of said at least one virtual opponent according to a set of game rules associated with the wagering game, a code that directs said processor unit to show result of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent on said display unit, and a code that directs said processor unit to adjust credits for the player-banker and each of said at least one virtual opponent according to the result of the wagering game played by the player-banker with each of said at least one virtual opponent and with reference to the wager placed by each of said at least one virtual opponent.
 20. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said first code further directs said processor unit to allow the player-banker to select the wagering game from a set of different games that includes card games and dice games.
 21. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said second code further includes a code that directs said processor unit such that winning ones of said at least one virtual opponent give a tip credit to the player-banker.
 22. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said computer readable storage medium further includes: a third code that directs said processor unit to allow the player-banker to continue playing when the credit of the player-banker is sufficient to match a preset maximum possible wager for one virtual opponent, and to stop playing when otherwise. 